Baseball Lifer

The Cardinals Shellack the Giants, 15-6, as St. Louis took the final two to win the series.

Carlos Rodon, who had the third-longest active scoreless streak in Baseball, dating back to last September, got torched. The Cardinals scored four runs in the first; one in the third; four in the fourth; and two in the fifth to take an 11-0 lead. Paul Goldschmidt, and Nolan Arenado—the two biggest Giant Killers in Baseball—both hit home runs, as did Yadier Molina.

Adam Wainwright took a no-hitter into the fifth. It was Luis Gonzalez, who with two outs in the top of the fifth, finally got the first hit of the night for the Giants. Joc Pederson then got the Giants on the board with a two-run shot to right in the sixth.

Once the game got really ridiculous with the Cardinals up 15-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Giants brought in a position player to pitch; and it was non other than Luis Gonzalez, who an inning and a third of scoreless ball. Then, Albert Pujols came in to pitch the ninth for the Cardinals. He got LIT UP, giving up four runs, three of them on a three-run shot by the Giants’ pitcher Luis Gonzalez.

GAMEBALL:

Luis Gonzalez

Have yourself a night, kid. On a night that didn’t go well for the Giants, Gonzalez shined. First, he got the first hit of the night for the Giants, a sharp roller off the end of the bat the other way into left-centerfield. Then, he pitched an inning and a third; and he capped it off with a three-run home run off King Albert in the ninth.

TIP OF THE CAP:

Joc: Joc’s home run was his seventh of the year, and first since his injury, which is good, because he has been hitting into bad luck as of late.

Longo: 2-for-4 night for Longo, as he’s shaking off the rust.

Yadi: He’s still got it after all these years. I didn’t recap yesterday’s game, so of course I have to tip my cap to him for his brilliance in figuring out what the Giants wanted to do with their base-runners, and organizing the way the thwart it. He then hit a home run tonight, and drove in four. Sadly, unless the Giants and the Cardinals face off in the Playoffs, this will be the last time we see Yadi.

Adam Wainwright: He’s still got it as well. He has been throwing to Yadi since September 2005, when I was just starting 6th Grade; and at that time, our ballpark wasn’t even AT&T Park yet: it was SBC Park. Wainwright of course took a no-hitter into the fifth; and he ended up pitching six solid innings, allowing just two runs.

King Albert: Great night at the plate for Albert, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Even though he got shelled on the mound while throwing batting practice, it was his first pitching appearance in the majors, so we have to give him some credit for that.

Goldy and Arenado: Eh, guess I have to give it to the Giant Killers, who both hit home runs tonight.

JOKER:

ESPN

I’m sorry, but what ESPN and other networks are doing now by interviewing players WHILE THEY PLAY THE GAME is down right OFFENSIVE, INSULTING, REPULSIVE and an utter slap in the face to any true Baseball fan.

If I was playing, I’d volunteer to do it, just so I can make a stand. I’d be even more unfiltered than I already am—and I’m already pretty damn unfiltered—I’d say whatever the hell was on my mind; and I’d drop a fart or two. Hey, you want an authentic and in-depth experience; I’m just making it as authentic and realistic as I can.

SMACK OF THE STICK:

Harrison Bader: For going along with this shit. Kid, you’re a helluva ballplayer, but I can’t let you off the hook for this. Do better.

Carlos Rodon: I love ya, Carlos, and I’m sorry I have to do this, but you have to get a Shake of the Head for your start. That’s Baseball.

FLIP OF THE FINGER:

Rob Manfred: Thanks to his decision to eliminate one-game tiebreakers—which, by the way, are so fucking awesome—if the Giants end up tied with the Cardinals for the 3rd Wild Card Spot, the Cardinals will go to the Playoffs, and the Giants will have to just take it and go home.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

People shouldn’t feel bad or worried. The Giants played the Cardinals quite well over the seven games between the two teams. It was just two good teams going at it, and remember, the Giants went 2-4 against the Cardinals last year.

Also, having Gonzalez and Albert pitch late, as well as having Gonzalez hit his home run off Pujols very likely loosened the clubhouse, and made the loss a lot less hard to take. They had some fun late, and they ended the game on a loose note. That’s exactly what they needed heading to Coors Field.

Stephen